Boxing: Asian Games medalist stops Barnes at AIBA Women’s World Championships

Caribbean Light Flyweight champion Brandy Barnes opened the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships Friday (16 November) in New Delhi, India with a loss in the preliminaries against South Korean Chorong Bak.

After a referee stoppage 2:18 in the second round, Cayman Islands Boxing Association (CIBA) Head Coach Stuart O’Connor said the draw did not favour Barnes.

“There were a few girls in this competition who she would’ve beaten, proving she has the potential to do well in the sport,” said O’Connor. “Bak is an Asian Games medalist and has reached the quarterfinals in the last two World Championships. Brandy tried to go at her and show what she can do. Unfortunately, the Korean was too experienced and threw too many combinations and flurries for Brandy to handle.”

Barnes, 22, has just a handful of amateur fights under her belt since joining CIBA in regular amateur competition just over a year ago. Barnes marquee fights include May’s Commonwealth Games, December 2017’s Caribbean Championships and a multi-fight tour of London last November. O’Connor says she still, however, needs more seasoning.

“Given the last performance, the main thing she is lacking is experience. Obviously there are still a number of fundamentals we need to work on which we will continue to do over the next few days and beyond.”

O’Connor added the World Championships allows Barnes to stay in New Delhi and gain valuable sparring experience she wouldn’t receive in Cayman.

“We are sparring other countries over the next few days including countries from Australia and Bangladesh.”

Barnes was optimist about her progress over the past year.

“Even though there’s still lots to work on, I obviously have improved since the Commonwealth Games, and that’s what matters. Beyond that, training continues in preparation for the Caribbean Championships in December.”